More than 450 pot shops file to renew LA taxes

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Despite new rules that say only about 140 medical marijuana dispensaries are eligible to stay open, more than 450 have filed renewals to pay Los Angeles business taxes this year.

The Los Angeles Times cites records that show more than 1,100 medical marijuana collectives are actively registered to pay taxes in the city.

However, it's unclear if that many medical marijuana dispensaries are actually operating. A business may obtain a registration certificate but never actually open or it might also close but fail to notify the city.

City Attorney Mike Feuer says it's impossible to know for sure how many shops remain open, but says the numbers are much lower than estimates from before Proposition D passed last spring.